News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
A paving project that will add from 75 to 80 spaces to downtown Sisters' parking district is about half-way done, according to Sisters Public Works Director Gary Frazee.
Bartels Construction of Powell Butte is handling the excavation, leveling, graveling and paving of the new parking areas, with surveying assistance from Fred Ast of Sisters.
Frazee said parking areas at Main Avenue and Spruce Street, Main Avenue and Elm Street and at Main Avenue and Oak Street are ready for paving.
"I think in a couple of weeks, they should be paved," Frazee said.
The company has more than 45 days left in its contracted time frame, but Frazee believes the whole project should be completed by then.
One exception is the corner of Cascade Avenue and Larch Street, which is being reengineered, according to Frazee.
The father/son outfit was the low bidder on the project, at approximately $67,000. Funds for the parking improvements come from a parking district fund, which assesses businesses 5 cents per square foot, payable with business license fees.
The fund paid for some 150 spaces in 1997, Frazee noted.
Owners of bare lots and residential buildings in the commercial area can get parking developed by signing a lien on their property covering the cost of creating parking.
As long as the site remains residential (or bare), the property owner has to do nothing.
The lien depreciates at a rate of 5 percent per year, Frazee said.
"If (the property) sells, develops, or they even submit a site plan, we get reimbursed," Frazee said.
That way, Frazee said, "you couldn't develop and get a free ride."
Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.
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